Lovable Zainab

chapter 18

   Chapter 18

Zainab POV

Zobo, also know to some people as Roselle (hibiscus sabdariffa), when processed into juice is very tasty that's if one adds sugar and probably pineapple flavor to it.

Another important thing about zobo is that when it stains your clothes especially cotton material its quite difficult to remove. Also when the drink is kept unpreserved for a long time it has a bad smell.

Another drink that smells terrible when left unpreserved is kunu Aya  a drinked made from tiger nut, dates and sometimes people add coconut.

Why I'm I mentioning this drinks one might wonder. Well, I'm mixing a 5litres of spoilt zobo drink with another 5 litres of spoilt kunu in a bucket at six in the morning. Weird that I'm even still awake by this time. Things I'll do for my brother.

Today is my brother Sadiq's birthday he is turning 21. Big boy right? So I'm preparing for the celebration. Doesn't make sense right? You will see.

"Mama Zee I've got the water mummy use to wash fish the day before yesterday." Maryam said excitedly.

"Oh my God that's awesome why didn't you throw away before?" I asked excited and confused at the same time.

"I hid it in backyard. Was preparing for today's suprise." She said clapping her hands together.

I mixed the smelling fish water with my already terribly smelling concoction. Maryam and I probably look like two witches trying to make a magic potion.

"Help me carry this outside." We took the bucket outside together

It was already some minutes to seven and the sun was already out. We waited outside the gate for Sadiq to arrive so we can perform our birthday ritual.

"Why will Ade want to see me this early morning. I don't wish to celebrate my birthday." We heard Sadiq complaining and knew he would soon be outside so we got ready.

Immediately he came outside Maryam yelled. "Ya Sadiq close your mouth." And splash. I poured the content of the bucket on him soaking him From head to toe.

"SubhanAllah!" He cried out.

"Happy birthday!" I sang

"Why? God! It is smelling what did you pour on me?" We laughed at his frustration.

"Happy birthday bro we love you." Maryam also sang.

"And I'm gonna flog you." Kaybee announced before Sadiq could react Kaybee had already brought out a leather belt and whip him with it.

"Stop, Kaybee. Abeg." Sadiq begged but Kaybee didn't listen. So he tried to run away from him but it only made Matter worst for him as Kaybee ran after whipping him with more force.

Kaybee eventually stop flogging him only because Ahmad intervened.

"Gimme that belt." Ahmad commanded. "You want to flog someone eh?" Sadiq looked relief but it was soon relinquished from his face when Ahmad use the belt to give him an unexpected, when I say extremely painful whip that even I felt it.

"That's how to flog someone what you were doing was called romancing." Ahmad mocked Kaybee ignoring Sadiq who was already on his knees due to the painful effect of Ahmad's whip.

"Please issokay thank you." The birthday boy pleaded helplessly.

"Dance for us." I requested because it's part of birthday ritual.

"Abeg people dey watch." Sadiq informed me that's when I noticed that some people staring at us with different expression in their faces. Some were looking amused others while looking shocked and disgusted. Sometimes I really hate staying in Kano because in Abuja birthday ritual are normal sometimes people who even participate are just seeing the celebrant for the first time but in Kano they act like you are committing a sin.